Scheduling - How I Manage My Time - 10 Time Management Tips

Introduction

• Overview of personal experiences with productivity and time management books over the last decade.

• Identification of 10 key principles that improve time management.

1. Owning Your Time

• Realization that individuals have full control over their time.

• Example: Instead of saying, "I don't have time to work out," realize you are choosing not to prioritize it.

• Understanding that lack of time for an activity signifies a lack of priority, not a constraint.

2. "Hell Yeah or No"

• Inspired by the book by Derek Sivers.

• Apply a simple decision-making maxim: say yes only if you feel a strong enthusiasm ("Hell Yeah").

• Default to no for opportunities that don't elicit strong excitement, improving focus on commitments that truly matter.

3. Daily Highlight

• Concept from the book "Make Time" by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky.

• Each day, identify one primary focus or "highlight" to achieve.

• This helps minimize to-do list overwhelm and improves daily satisfaction.

4. To-Do Lists

• Using a physical to-do list, such as the Ugmonk analog system, for daily tasks.

• Writing tasks down frees the mind from holding information, preventing tasks from slipping through the cracks.

• The satisfaction of crossing off completed tasks reinforces productivity.

5. Time Blocking

• Popularized by figures like Elon Musk; involves scheduling blocks for specific tasks in your calendar.

• Prioritize the daily highlight by scheduling it into your day to guarantee its completion.

• Assists in personal accountability and consistent progress on important tasks.

6. Parkinson's Law

• Work expands to fill allocated time.

• Apply artificial deadlines to increase productivity; for example, limit the time for projects to ensure they get completed more efficiently.

7. Protected Time

• Keep specific time slots free from obligations for uninterrupted work or personal projects.

• This allows for concentrated efforts, such as writing or personal reflection, without distractions from meetings or calls.

8. Delegation

• Evaluate the monetary value of your time; delegate tasks that can be done cheaper than your hourly rate.

• Example: Hiring cleaners or outsourcing tasks to freelancers can free up valuable time for more important work.

9. Automating Scheduling

• Use tools like Calendly to streamline scheduling meetings and avoid endless back-and-forth emails.

• This saves time and simplifies the process of arranging calls with friends or colleagues.

10. Choosing Satisfaction

• Recognize that productivity doesn't always correlate with a sense of achievement; it's possible to end the day feeling accomplished despite incomplete tasks.

• Be intentional about choosing to feel satisfied with what was accomplished each day.

Conclusion

• Promotion of online courses on productivity and time management available on Skillshare.

• Recommended resources include a summary of the book "Make Time" for further exploration of productivity strategies.